Fire extinguishing apparatus for homes



Sept. 15, 1953 J. PETRO FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS FOR HOMES Filed Dec. 6, 1951 INVENTOR. JOSEPH PETRO NNN N NNN l/ f l ///////.r//// Spt. 15, 1953 J. PETRo 2,652,068

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS FOR HoMgs Filed Dec. 6, 1951 Z'Sheets-Sheet 2 A IN VEN TOR. JOSEPH PRTR@ Patented Sept. 15, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS FOR HOMES Joseph Petro, Garfield Heights, Ohio Application December 6, 1951, Serial No. 260,219

17 Claims. i

r'his invention relates to new and useful improvements in fire extinguishing apparatus for a building.

More specically, the present invention proposes the construction of a novel fire extinguishing apparatus characterized by a tank for containing water and which is located below ground level within the building so as to fully protect the contents from freezing and from which a Water discharge pipe extends in a manner to discharge the water from the tank above ground level and outside of the building so as to be conveniently available for fire fighting.

Still further, the present invention proposes providing a vertically slidable piston within the tank with means for holding the piston in a raised position resting on the surface of the contained water so as to eject the water from the tank through the discharge pipe under pressure.

Another object of the present invention proposes providing an electrically controlled circuit operated by a switch located outside of the building for releasing the holding means to free the piston to move downward Within the tank to eject the Water.

As a further object, the present invention proposes the inclusion of means for moving the piston down within the tank with force to eject the water from the discharge pipe with sufficient pressure to be useful for fire fighting purposes.

The present invention further proposes characterizing the piston moving means by interconnected weights positioned on top of the piston so as to be removable and be interchanged with weights of dierent bulk to control the pressure at which the water will be discharged from the discharge pipe.

A further object of the present invention proposes completely enclosing the piston within the tank and feeding air under pressure into the tank above the piston to force the piston downward and discharge the water through the discharge pipe at the desired pressure.

As a still further object, the present invention proposes the inclusion of novel means for replenishing the water supply within the tank through the piston when it is in a raised position.

it is a further object oi the present invention to construct a iire extinguishing apparatus for a building as set forth which is simple and durable, which is effective for its intended purposes and which can be manufactured and installed at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention,

and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

On the accompanying drawings forming a material part of the present disclosure:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the iire extinguishing apparatus of the present invention as it appears installed in the basement of a house or similar building structure having a basement.

Fig. 2 is a partial plan View looking in the direction of the line 2 2 on Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 with the base support included.

Fig. 4 is a bottom perspective View of one of the weights used in this rst form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a partial elevational view looking in the direction of the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view similar to Fig. 1 showing the fire extinguishing apparatus installed in a barn or similar basementless building structure.

Fig. 7 is another View similar to Fig. 1 showing a further modification of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a partial plan view looking in the direction of the line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a partial vertical sectional View of one of the tanks taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a schematic Wiring diagram for the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. '7 to 9.

The re extinguishing apparatus, according to the rst form of the present invention shown in Figs. l to 5, is shown in connection with a building I5 having a basement I6 below the level of the outside ground Il. The building l5 might be a private residence, an apartment house, a garage or any other similar structure having a basement below ground level.

Set into the floor 16a of the basement it, there is a base plate I3 upon which a tank i9 for containing water is mounted. The tank i9 is of rigid steel construction and is of a size to contain several thousand gallons of Water. The exterior of the side Walls of the tank are coated with a layer of insulation material 2! for protecting the water contents of the tank from freezing during temporary lowering of the temperature in the basement. Normally, the location of the tank IS below ground level and within the building l5 should be suicient to prevent freezing of the Water. The layer of insulation 20 could be a layer of tar or the like.

A discharge pipe 2| extends from the bottom of the tank I9. The inner end of the pipe 2| extends through aligned holes formed in the base plate I8 and the bottom wall of the tank I9 and is secured in position by means of a nut 22 threaded onto the end of the pipe. Clamped between the nut 22 and the bottom wall of the tank I9, there is a gasket 23 for sealing the bottom of the tank against the loss of water at the point where the pipe extends from the tank. Y

The other end of the discharge pipe 2| discharges above the level of the ground I1 at the outside of the building I and is closed by a removable cap 24 which is threaded into position on the pipe. When the cap 24 is removed, the end of a flexible fire hose can be screwed onto the end of the discharge pipe 2|. If desired, the end of the discharge pipe 2| could be made to dis'- charge into a conventional lire hydrant so that a number of hoses could be connected thereto without departing from the scope and intent of the present invention.

Mounted in the discharge pipe 2| closely adjacent its outer end, there is a valve 25 arranged to be operated by a control handle 26 exposed above the level of the ground closely adjacent the capped end of the pipe 2|. Normally, the valve 25 is closed so that no water will rise within the capped end of the pipe 2| which is exposed above the ground level where it could freeze resulting in bursting or otherwise damaging the pipe. The valve 25 is located below the frost` line so that water in the pipe 2| rearward of the valve will be protected from freezing.

The top of the tank I9, as best shown in Fig. 3, is open and located Within the tank there is a vertically slidable piston 21 made entirely of metal and with some bulk to be heavy. The piston 21 is of a size to be freely movable up and down within the tank I9. Secured to the bottom face of the piston 21, by vulcanization or the like, there is a disc of rubber 28. The rubber disc 28 is of a peripheral size just slightly greater than the peripheral size of the piston 21 so as to engage the inner surfaces of the tank I9 and seal the piston against the seepage of water about the sides thereof when the piston moves downward within the tank.

Means is provided for holding the piston 21 in a raised position within the tank I9 so as to rest just on the surface of the water contained within the tank. The holding means is characterized by a stranded steel cable 29 ywhich has one end looped through 'an eye of a lug 30 extended upward from the center of the top face of the piston 21. Thel'ooped end of the cable 29 is secured in position by means of a ring 3| engaged about the cable as shown in Fig. 3.

The cable 29 extends upward from the piston 21 and has its other end wound upon and secured to a drum 32. The dr'urh 32 is xedly mounted on a shaft 33 intermediate of its ends, see Fig. 1. Extended vertically along the sides of the tank I9, there is a pair of vertical columns 34 and 35. The bottom ends of the columns 34 and 35 are formed with outwardly extended foot portions 34a and 35a secured to the top faceof the base plate I8 by bolts 36. One end of the shaft 33 is rotatively supported in a separable thrust bearing 31 mounted on top of the column 34. The other end of the shaft 33 passes rotatively through an enlarged bearing plate 38 formed on the top end of the column 35. That other end of the shaft 33 extends beyond the outer face of the bearing plateA 38 vand mounts a crank handle 39 by which the shaft 33 and drum 32 can be turned for winding the cable 29 on the drum to raise the piston 21 within the tank I9. The columns 34 and 35 are mounted on the base plate I8 to one side of the vertical axis of the tank so that the depending end of the cable 29 will extend from the drum 32 exactly on the vertical axis of the tank.

Fixedly mounted on the shaft 33 adjacent the outer face of the bearing plate 38, there is a ratchet wheel 43. A gravity pawl 4| is pivotally mounted on the bearing plate 38 and engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel 40 so that the shaft 3,3 may be freely turned in one direction to wind the cable 29 on the drum 32. The pawl acts to restrain turning of the shaft 33 in a direction to unwind the cable 29 from the drum 32.

Circuit means is provided for drawing the pawl 4I out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 40 so as to free the shaft 33 to turn in a direction to unwind the cable 29 from the drum 32 so that the piston 29 may lower itself within the tank I9 forcing the water to discharge from the pipe 2 I. That circuit means includes a solenoid 42y 'see Fig. 5, fixedly mounted on the bearing plate 38 and which has a core 43. Movement of the core 43 in a direction toward the pawl 4I is arrested by a collar 44 formed on the top end of the core and which abuts the top end of the solenoid 42. The bottoni end of the core 43 is bent to extend at right angles to the major portion of the length thereof and extends into an arcuate slot 45 formed in the pawl 4| intermediate of its ends. The arcuate slot 45 is arranged on the axis of pivoting of the pawl 4| so that when the shaft 33 is turned in a direction to wind the cable 23 on the drum 32, the pawl 4| 'will be free to ride over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 40. In the normal position of the parts, the right angula'rly turned end 'of the core 43 is located within the top or outer end of the slot 45 so that when the solenoid 42 is energized the pawl will be moved away from the ratchet 'wheel 40.

Pivotally mounted on the bearing plate 38, at the free end of the pawl 4I, there is a latch leve'r 43. That latch lever 46 is retained in an operative position, with relation to the free end of the pawl 4I, against a stop pin 41 by ymeans of a leaf spring 43 fixedly mounted on the bearing plate 38. When the solenoid 42 is energized, the pawl 4I will be pivoted away from the ratchet wheel 4i) and past the free end of the latch lever 45. The latch lever 46 will be immediately snapped back to its starting position by the leaf spring 48 to maintain the pawl 4I in an inoperative position even in the event the nre should cause a power failure subsequently deenergizing the solenoid.

Energization of the solenoid v42 is controlled by a manually operable normally open switch v49 mounted at the exterior of the building I5 adjacent the control handle 23 of the valve 25. As shown in Fig. 5, vthe switch 45 is connected in series with the solenoid 42 by one llead 53 which extends from a power source to one side of the switch 49. A second lead 5I extends from the other side of the switch 49 to the coil of the sole'- noid 42. Extending from the other side of the coil of the solenoid 42 there is a third lead 52 which extends to the other side of the source. Thus, when the switch 49 is closed, the solenoid 42 will be energized moving the pawl 4I clear of the ratchet 43 and into contact with the latch lever 46.

The piston 21, at positions spaced equally about the center thereof, is formed with a .plurality of filler openings 54. Each of the filler openings 54 is characterized by a large top portion 54a and a smaller threaded bottom portion 54h. The smaller bottom portions 54h of the filler openings 54 open through the bottom face of the piston 21 and through the rubber disc 28 so that the supply of water within the tank I9 can be replenished through the piston. Each of the iller openings 5t is closed by a plug 55 threaded into the smaller threaded bottom portions 54b of the filler openings. The tops of the plugs 55 are formed with nut portions 56 by which the plugs 55 can be gripped to be removed when the water supply within the tank i9 is to be replenished.

Means is provided for augmenting the weight of the piston 21 in forcing the piston downward within the tank I9 so as to have the water discharge from the pipe 2| at the proper pressure to be useful for fire fighting purposes. That augmenting means is characterized by a plurality of weight segments 51 rested on the top face of the piston 21 to form a complete circle about the attached end of the cable 29. The piston 21 is formed with four filler openings 54 and each of the weight segments 51 is shaped to form a quarter of a circle. There is one weight segment 5'I located over each of the ller openings 54. Contacting faces of the weight segments 51 are releasably joined together by means oi dove-tailed projections 58 on one of the Weight segments engaged with a complementary groove 59 formed in the adjacent face of the adjacent weight segment. With the projections 58 and grooves 59 engaged, the weight segments 51 will be joined together forming an integral unit thereof. Projected from the bottom faces of the weight segments 51, there are circular projections BD. The circular projections 99 are provided to be extended into the large top portions 54a of the ller openings 54 so as to maintain the interconnected weight segments 51 conoentrically in position on the top face of the piston 21 to cause the piston to move concentrically downward within the tank I9 without tilting in any direction.

Extended from the side of the tank I9, there is a short length of pipe 6I upon the outer end of which a gauge 62 is mounted to record the pressure at which the Water is being discharged from the pipe 2l The manner of using the i'ire extinguishing apparatus is as follows:

With the parts set up as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5, the apparatus is ready for use with the piston 21 supported above the level of the water contained in the tank E9. When lire breaks out it is merely necessary to remove the cap 24 from the end of the discharge pipe ZI and connect the end of a re hose thereto. The valve 25 is then opened and the switch 49 closed. Closing of the switch 9 energizes the solenoid 42 to withdraw the pawl 4I from the ratchet wheel 49. That frees the shaft 33 and the drum 32 so that the cable 29 will unwind from the drum 32 allowing the piston 21 to move downward within the tank I9. As the piston 21 moves downward, the combined weight of the piston and the segment weights 51 resting on the piston will cause the water to be discharged under pressure from the pipe 2I and the hose connected thereto to be useful for fire fighting purposes.

if, during test operations of the apparatus, it is found that the discharge pressure of the water is too great or not great enough the weight segments 51 can be removed from the top of the "piston 21 and inter-changed with weight segments 6 of dlierent bulkiness until the desired pressure on the discharging Water can be determined by observing the gauge 62 during operation of the apparatus.

When the re has been extinguished, the cap 24 is remounted in position after the hose has been disconnected from the outer end of the pipe 2l. The valve 26 is reclosed and the switch 49 opened. The free end of the pawl 4I is disconnected from the latch lever 46 to drop by gravity back to its operative position relative to the ratchet wheel 99. Using the crank handle 39, the shaft 39 is turned in a direction to rewind the cable 29 on the drum 32 raising the piston 21 within the tank I9. To reach the crank handle 39, a suitable platform, not shown, can be built within the basement I6 alongside the column 35.

In the fully raised position of the piston 21 one or more of the weight segments 51 is temporarily removed by lifting the same vertically upward to expose the respective ller openings 54. The plugs 55 are removed from the exposed filler openings 54 so that the supply of water within the tank I9 can be replenished. When the tank is completely refilled, the removed plugs 55 are returned to position and the removed weight segments 51 remounted in position so that the apparatus will be ready for the next emergency.

In the modication of the invention illustrated in Fig. 6, the re extinguishing apparatus is shown in connection with a building I5 having no basemnet such as a barn or the like. The tank E9' is sunk il with its open top iiush with the surface of the floor I5Z of the building I5. The columns 34 and 35 are relatively short and have their bottom foot portions 94a and 35a secured to the floor I5Z at opposite sides of the open top of the tank I9. The pipe 6l' is of suiTicient length to extend from the bottom of the tank I9 and expose the gauge 92 within the building I5.

In all other respects, the construction and operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 6 is similar to that described in connection with the first form of the invention in Figs. 1 to 5 and like reference numerals are used for identifying like parts.

Turning now to the modification of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7 to 10, the nre extinguishing apparatus is characterized by a pair of adjacent tanks I9a each of which contains a piston 21a, see Fig. 9. The tanks 59a are mounted side by side on the base plate Ita set into the floor I9a of the basement i6 of the building I5. The cable 29a extends upward from the pistons 21a and are connected to and wound upon sepa-- rate drums 32a fixedly mounted on the shaft 33a.

In this form of the invention, the tops of the tanks I9a are closed by top walls 19 welded in position after the pistons 21a have been positioned within the tanks. The pistons 21a are formed with four equally spaced filler openings 54c closed by removable plugs 55E, see Fig. 9. Over each of the iiller openings 54C, the top wall 19 is formed with a threaded hole 'II closed by a removable plug 'I2 to air-tightly close the holes 1I. The holes 1I are of a larger diameter than the plugs 55a so that when the plugs 'I2 are removed, the plugs 55a can be completely removed through the holes 7l. To maintain the filler openings 54@ in alignment with the holes 1I, the interior of each tank is formed with a vertically extended rib 13 which engages a complementary groove 14 formed in the side of the piston 21a. The interengaged ribs 13 and grooves 14 maintain the pistons 21a from turning within the tanks |99- while leaving them free for vertical sliding movement.

In this modification of the invention, the means for augmenting the weight of the pistons Zia in discharging the water from the tanks lila at the proper pressure, is characterized by an air compressor l5, there also being provided a pipe 'Vi which has branches Ila projected into the top of the tanks les through the top walls l0. Thus, compressed air from the compressor 15 is conveyed into the tanks l!! above the pistons 2li1 to force the pistons 21a downward when the cables Eef are released.

From Fig. l0, it is apparent that energization of the motor 'it to operate the compressor 15 is controlled by the same switch 49 which energizes the solenoid 42. To accomplish that, a lead 5P* extends from the lead 5I to one side of the motor 'i6 and a lead 52a connects the other side of the motor 'it to the lead 52. Thus, when the switch 49 is closed both the solenoid 42 and the motor will be energized.

To prevent the loss of air pressure at the points from which the cables 29@- extend from the top walls i0 of the tanks I9, sealing means is provided. The sealing means is comprised of apertured inverted cups i8 which are riveted to the top faces of the top walls concentric with the holes through which the cables 28a extend. The cables 29a extend through the top walls of the inverted cups 18. Filling the interiors of the inverted cups 'I8 there are blocks of rubber 'i9 formed with holes, see Fig. 9, through which the cables 29a extend with a friction iit sufiicient to prevent the loss of air without interfering with sliding movements of the cables 29a through the blocks of rubber.

The discharge pipe 2i has branches 2te, connected by a T-shaped iitment 8l, and which extend from the bottom oi each of the tanks |95, see Fig. '7, for conveying the water under pressure from the tanks |98.

In all other respects, the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 7 to 10. is similar to that described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5 and like reference numerals are used to identify like parts.

The apparatus of the present invention is intended especially for fire extinguishing purposes, but it is appreciated that it could be used for supplying water under pressure for many other uses particularly in areas where city water is not supplied. Such other uses might include lawn sprinkling or general irrigation purposes, car washing and the like without departing from the scope and intent of the present invention. The apparatus is also useful as an emergency source of water under pressure when the normal water supply fails temporarily.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention asset forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A. nre extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a tank for containing water located below ground level and within the building, a water discharge pipe extended from the bottom of said tank and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, a vertically slidable piston within said tank for resting on the surface of the water contained in the tank, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said piston in a raised position within said tank, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, circuit means including a switch located externally of the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release said piston to fall within said tank for forcing the contained water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed valve in said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit the water to flow from the discharge pipe when said piston is moving downward within said tank.

2. A i'lre extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a tank for containing water located below ground level and within the building, a water discharge pipe extended from the bottom of said tank and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, a vertically slidable piston within said tank for resting on the surface of the water contained in the tank, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said piston in a raised position within said tank, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, circuit means including a switch located externally of the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release said piston to fall Within said tank for forcing the contained water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed valve in said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit the water to flow from the discharge pipe when said piston is moving downward within said tank, said holding means comprising a shaft rotatively supported above said tank, a drum on said shaft. and a cable connected between said piston and said drum, said ratchet being mounted on said shaft and engaged by said pawl to limit rotation of said shaft in a direction to unwind said cable only.

3. A re extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a tank for containing water located below ground level and within the building, a water discharge pipe extended from the bottom of said tank and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, a vertically slidable piston within said tank for resting on the surface of the water contained in the tank, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said piston in a raised position within said tank, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, circuit means including a switch located externally of the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release said piston to fall within said tank for forcing the contained water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed Valve in said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit the water to flow from the discharge pipe when said piston is moving downward within said tank, said holding means comprising a shaft rotatively supported above said tank, a drum on said shaft, and a cable connected between said piston and said drum, said ratchet being mounted on said shaft and engaged by said pawl to limit rotation of said shaft in a direction to unwind said cable only, and a latch lever for holding said pawl in an inoperative position when lifted free of said ratchet by said solenoid.

4. A nre extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a tank for containing water located below ground level and within the building, a water discharge pipe extended from the bottom of said tank and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, a vertically slidable piston within said tank for resting on the surtace of the water contained in the tank, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said piston in a raised position Within said tank, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, circuit means including a switch located externally of the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release said piston to fall within said tank for forcing the contained water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed valve in said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit the water to flow from the discharge pipe when said piston is moving downward within said tank, said tank being mounted within the basement of the building.

5. A fire extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a tank for containing water located below ground level and within the building, a water discharge pipe extended from the bottom of said tank and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, a vertically slidable piston within said tank for resting on the surface of the water contained in the tank, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said piston in a raised position within said tank, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, circuit means including a switch located externally of the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release said piston to fall within said tank for forcing the contained water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed valve in said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit the water to ow from the discharge pipe when said piston is moving downward within said tank, said tank being mounted in the ground level with the iloor Asurface of a basementless building.

6. A re extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a tank for containing water located below ground level and within the building, a water discharge pipe extended from the bottom of said tank and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, a vertically sliolable piston within said tank for resting on the surface of the water contained in the tank, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said piston in a raised position within said tank, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, circuit means including a switch located externally of the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release Vsaid piston to fall within said tank for forcing the contained water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed valve in said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit the water to flow from the discharge pipe when said piston is moving downward within said tank, said piston having equally spaced filler openings about its center,

and removable filler plugs threaded into said ller openings closing the same.

7. A re extinguishing apparatus for a buildving, comprising a tank for containing water lol0 cated below ground level and within the building, a Water discharge pipe extended from the bottom of said tank and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, a Vertically slidable piston within said tank for resting on the surface of the water contained in the tank, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said piston in a raised position within said tank, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, circuit means including a switch located externally of the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release said piston to fall within said tank for forcing the contained water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed valve in said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit the water to flow from the discharge pipe when said piston is moving downward within said tank, said piston having equally spaced ller openings about its center,

Aand removable filler plugs threaded into said iiller openings closing the same, and means for augmenting the weight of said piston in forcing the water from said discharge pipe under pressure.

8. A lire extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a tank for containing water located below ground level and within the building, a water discharge pipe extended from the bottom of said tank and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, a vertically slidable piston within said tank for resting on the surface of the water contained in the tank, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said piston in a raised position within said tank, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, circuit means including a switch located externally of the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release said piston to fall within said tank for forcing the contained water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed Valve in said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit the water to flow from .the discharge pipe when said piston is moving downward within said tank, said piston having equally spaced filler openings about its center, and removable iiller plugs threaded into said liller openings closing the same, and means for augmenting the weight of said piston in forcing the water from said discharge pipe under pressuro said weight augmenting means comprising weight segments rested on the top face of said piston concentric with the center thereof with one weight segment over` each of the filler openings, means connecting together the adjacent faces of adjacent weight segments, and means retaining said weight segments in position over the filler openings.

9. A re extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a tank for containing water located below ground level and within the building, a water discharge pipe extended from the bottom of said tank and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, a vertically slidable piston within said tank for resting on the surface of the water contained irl the tank, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said piston in a raised position within said tank, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, circuit means including a switch located externally of the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means'to release said piston to fall within said tankV for forcing the contained water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed valvein` said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit the water toilow from the discharge pipe when said piston is moving downward within said tank, said piston having equally spaced filler openings'about'ts center, and removable ller plugs threaded into said filler openings closing the same, and means for augmenting the weight of saidA piston in forcing the water from said discharge pipe under pressure, said weight augmenting means comprising weight segments rested on theY top face of said piston concentric with the center thereof with one weight segment over each of the ller openings, means connecting together the adjacent faces of adjacent Weight segments, and means retaining said weight segments in position over the i'lller openings, said connecting' means comprising dove-tailed projections on one face of each of said weight segments, theY adiacent face of the adjacent weight segment having a dovetailed groove into which said proiections extend.

10. A re extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a tank for containing water located below ground level and Within the building, a water discharge pipe extended from the bottom of said tank and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, a vertically slidable piston Within said tank for resting on the surface of the water contained in the tank, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said piston in a raised position within said tank, a solenoid connected to the pawl` of said holding .means circuit means including a switch located externally of the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release said piston to fall within said tank for forcing'the contained water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed valve in said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior ofthe building to permit the Water' to flow from the discharge pipe when said piston is movingdovvnward within said tank, said piston having equally spaced ller openings about its center, and removable nller plugs threaded'into said filler openings closing the same, and means for augmenting the weight of said piston in forcing the water from said discharge pipe under pressure, said weight augmenting means comprising weight segments rested on the top face of said piston concentric with the center thereof with one weight segment over each of the filler openings, means connecting together the adjacent faces of adjacent weight segments, and means retaining said weight segments in position over the iller openings, said retaining means comprising circular projections extended from the bottom face of the weight segments and extended into the iiller openings.

1l. A nre extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a tank for containing Water located below ground level and Within the building, a water discharge pipe extended from the bottom of said tank and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, a vertically slidable piston within said tank for resting on the surface of the water contained in the tank, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said piston in a raised position within said tank, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, circuit means including a switch located externally of the building forA energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release said piston to fall within said tank for forcing the contained water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed valve in said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit the water to flow from the discharge pipe when said piston is moving downward within said tank, said piston having equally 'spaced' illler openings about its center, and removable ller plugs threaded into said filler openings closing the same, and means for augmenting the weight of said piston in forcing the water from said discharge pipe under pressure, said Weight augmenting means comprising an air cornpressor, a motor for operating said compressor, a pipe for conveying the air under pressure from said compressor into the top of said tank above said piston.

12. A fire extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a tank for containing water located below ground level and within the building, a water discharge pipe extended from the bottom of said tank and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, a vertically slidable piston within said tank for resting on the surface of the water contained in the tank, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said piston in a raised position within said tank, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, circuit means including a switch located externally of the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release said piston to fall Within said tank for forcing the contained water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed valve in said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit the water to flow from the discharge pipe when said piston is moving down- Ward Within said tank, said piston having equally spaced filler openings about its center, and removable iiller plugs threaded into said iiller openings closing the same, and means for augmenting the weight of said piston in forcing the Water from said discharge pipe under pressure, said Weight augmenting means comprising an air compressor, a motor for operating said compressor, a. pipe for conveying the air under pressure from said compressor into the top of said tank above said piston, said motor being connected in parallel in said circuit means to be energized when said switch is closed for energizing said solenoid.

13. A re extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a tank for containing water located below ground level and within the building, a water discharge pipe extended from the bottom of said tank and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, a vertically slidable piston Within said tank for resting on the surface of the Water contained in the tank, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said piston in a raised position within said tank, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, circuit means including a switch located externally of the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release said piston to fall within said tank for forcing the contained water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed valve in said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit the water to flow from the discharge pipe when said piston is moving downward within said tank, said piston having equally spaced iiller openings about its center, and removable ller plugs threaded into said iiller openings closing the same, and means for augmenting the weight of said piston in forcing the water from said discharge pipe under pressure, said weight augmenting means comprising an air compressor, a motor for operating said compressor, a pipe for conveying the air under pressure from said compressor into the top of said tank above said piston, said tank having its top closed by a xedly mounted top wall, said pipe which extends from said compressor being extended into said tank through said top wall, said top wall having holes aligned with said filler openings of said piston, and removable plugs closing the holes of said top wall.

le. A re extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a tank for containing water located below ground level and within the building, a water discharge pipe ext-ended from the bottom of said tank and discharging above the ground level externally or the building, a vertically slidable piston within said tank for resting on the surface of the water contained in the tank, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said piston in a raised position within said tank, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, circuit means including a switch located externally lof the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release said piston to fall within said tank for forcing the contained water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed valve in said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit the water to flow from the discharge pipe when said piston is moving downward within', said tank, said piston having equally spaced iiller openings about its center, and removable filler plugs threaded into said filler openings closing the same, and means for augmenting the weight of said piston in forcing the water from said discharge pipe under pressure, said weight auginenting means comprising an air compressor, a motor for operating said compressor, a pipe for conveying the air under pressure from said compressor into the top of said tank above said piston, said tank having its top closed by a xedly mounted top wall, said pipe which extends from said compressor being extended into said tank through said top wall, said top wall having holes aligned with said filler openings of said piston, and removable plugs closing the holes of said top wall, and means for restricting turning of said piston within said tank leaving it free for vertical sliding movements so as to maintain said ller openings in axial alignment with said holes of said top wall.

15. A fire extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a pair of adjacent tanks for containing water located below ground level and within the building, a water discharge pipe having branches extended from the bottoms of said tanks and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, vertically slidable pistons within said tanks for` resting on the surface of the water contained in said tanks, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said pistons in raised positions within said tanks, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, circuit means including a switch located externally of the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release said pistons to fall within said tanks to force said water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed valve in said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit water to ow from the discharge pipe when said pistons are moving down within said tanks.

16. A fire extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a pair of adjacent tanks for containing Water located below ground level and within the building, a water discharge pipe having branches extended from the bottoms of said tanks and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, vertically slidable pistons within said tanks for resting on the surface of the water contained in said tanks, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said pistons in raised positions within said tanks, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, Circuit means including a switch located externally of the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release said pistons to fall within said tanks to force said water to exit through said discharge pipe, and a normally closed valve in said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit water to flow from the discharge pipe when said pistons are moving down within said tanks, and means including an air compressor for supplying air under pressure into the tops of said tanks above said pistons for augmenting the weights of said pistons in forcing the water to discharge from said discharge pipe.

17. A fire extinguishing apparatus for a building, comprising a pair of adjacent tanks for containing water located below ground level and within the building, a water discharge pipe having branches extended from the bottoms of said tanks and discharging above the ground level externally of the building, vertically slidable pistons within said tanks for resting on the surface of the water contained in said tanks, means including a pawl and ratchet for holding said pistons in raised positions within said tanks, a solenoid connected to the pawl of said holding means, circuit means including a switch located externally of the building for energizing said solenoid to lift said pawl free of said ratchet causing said holding means to release said pistons to fall within said tanks to force said water to exit through said discharge pipe manually openable from the exterior of the building to permit water to ow from the discharge pipe when said pistons are moving down Within said tanks, and means including an air compressor for supplying air under pressure into the tops of said tanks above said pistons for augmenting the Weights of said pistons in forcing the water to discharge from said discharge pipe, said compressor being operated by a motor connected in parallel in said circuit means with said solenoid.

JOSEPH PETRO.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 873,671 Lewis et al Dec. 10, 1907 1,991.368 Bennett Feb. 19, 1935 

